20 The Bulletin. 



who would shuu him on account of illiteracy misses the opportunity to 

 associate with a gentleman worthy of his notice and desirable as a 

 citizen. 



Illiteracy is 'Not Ignorance. 



While the illiteracy is to be regretted, what good is accomplished by 

 the insistent publication to the world? Illiteracy is generally consid- 

 ered ignorance; this is a great mistake. Few stop to consider the 

 matter, but adopt the common verdict. The characters of our people 

 are injured by this course now as was the case in former times. The 

 North Carolina Confederate soldier, on account of this publicity, at the 

 beginning of the war did not have the respect of his fellows, but was the 

 object of much ridicule, and all kinds of ignorant expressions were 

 attributed to him, as "the seventh rigimint spider wagon"; "the sixth 

 rigimint hoss-pistol ;" "you got any tobacco?" "No, but I've got some 

 of the best rosam (rosin) you ever chawed." Such conduct and ex- 

 pressions could be greatly multiplied if desired. In 1862 "tar-heel" 

 was introduced as a term of ridicule. The boys replied in different 

 styles, "Got any tar?" "No, Jeff Davis has bought it all." "What 

 for?" "To put on you fellows' heels to make you stick." The fourth 

 Texas had lost its flag at Sharpsburg. Passing the sixth North Caro- 

 lina a few days afterwards they called out, "Tar-heel," and the reply 

 was, "If you had had some tar on your heels, you would have brought 

 your flag back from Sharpsburg." It was recognized as a term of 

 affront until 1864. Governor Vance, when he visited the army of 

 Northern Virginia, in opening his speech said : "I do not know what to 

 «all you fellows. I can not say fellow soldiers, because I am not a 

 soldier, nor fellow citizens because we do not live in this State; so I 

 have concluded to call you fellow Tar-heels." There was a slight pause 

 I)efore the applause came and from that time "Tar-heel" has been hon- 

 ored as an epithet w-orthy to be offered to a gallant North Carolina 

 soldier. 



I have shown in the foregoing paper the position which the North 

 Carolina farmer has attained among those of his profession in the 

 Union, and that he deserves the respect of his comrades, but if some 

 one follows this publication, with one stating that fourteen in every 

 hundred can not read his ballot, or circulates this at Conventions, where 

 such information as this paper is given with a view to induce people to 

 settle with us, a tendency to emigrate, rather than to immigrate, is 

 produced. 



A man is not valuable to the State on account of his ability or elo- 

 quence, unless he uses them to promote the interests of his community. 

 The man who improves the conditions of the farmer adds to the wealth 

 of his community and contributes to its material advancement, and is 

 more valuable than the best educated man, who keeps his gifts to him- 

 self. I wish to enter my protest on behalf of the adult farmers of the 

 State, whom the State Board of Agriculture has developed into the 



